On Saturday, May 30, 2015 the Waterloo Police Department was sent to 1240 Downing Ct. on report an unconscious child. Upon Officers arrival, the mother, Kristi Buss told officers that her daughter Gracie Buss, age 4, had fallen down the stairs the night before and falls down the stairs frequently due to a seizure disorder.

During the initial examination the medical team discovered extensive soft tissue and intracranial injuries that could only be explained as a result of trauma and not from falling down. There were also injuries that were in different stages of healing. Gracie was transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and died as a result of those injuries on June 3, 2015. An autopsy was completed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny that revealed that the victim died from blunt force injuries of the head.

As a result of the investigation the Waterloo Police Department arrested and charged Chad Allen Little, age 32, with Murder 1^st Degree and Child Endangerment Causing Death and Kristi Amber Buss, age 31, with Child Endangerment Causing Death. Both defendants resided together at the time of the incident.

Captain Dave Mohlis
Investigations Division